Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the country’s latest cabinet lineup today.
The cabinet is mostly the same as that of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, except that Khairy Jamaluddin and Adham Baba will be switching out their portfolios. Ismail also did not reveal a name for a deputy prime minister, leaving that post empty. All 69 ministers and deputies will be sworn in on Monday afternoon.
“The government will ensure that the new Cabinet line-up is committed to realizing the national agenda through inter-party cooperation to drive the nation’s economic recovery,” Ismail said in his televised address.
Khairy, who was previously coordinating Malaysia’s national COVID-19 vaccination program, will be made health minister, while Adham will take over Khairy’s science, technology and innovation portfolio.
Tengku Zafrul Aziz will remain as finance minister. Four senior ministers appointed to Ismail’s cabinet were Azmin Ali for international trade and industry, Hishammuddin Hussein for defence, Fadilah Yusof for works, and Radzi Jidin for education.
Other tweaks to the cabinet include moving Reezal Merican Naina Merican from sports to housing and local government, appointing Zuraida Kamaruddin as plantation industries and commodities Minister, and appointing Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who used to be the special adviser to Muhyiddin Yassin, as youth and sports minister.
Ismail revealed the new cabinet lineup days after starting work as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister on Monday. The latest cabinet was decided in the interest of maintaining stability and upholding the interests of the “Malaysian Family,” he said.
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